We were thrilled to share our DIY trellis with Yellawood™! This improvement made such a huge before and after in our yard! We couldn’t be happier about the outcome. Today, we’re sharing a little how-to, so that you can plan ahead for the spring, too. So without further ado, how to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™.
1. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: What You’ll Need
• yellawood™ Find it near you
• post digger or shovels
• concrete mix
• corner braces
• drill +impact driver + deck screws
• circular saw + sander + jigsaw
• uncoated wire rope
• eye hooks
• plyers + wore snips
• wire cutters
• copper crip connectors
• level
2. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Planning + Digging
The idea behind this trellis was to soften the architecture. In the spring, we plan to plant clematis here, to add a lot of vibrant color to the front of phase one. We knew that we needed something strong to stay off the house, but also add character to the front.
where we started…
As always we choose to use Yellowood™ dimensional lumber for a lot of reasons, but mainly for the quality and durability that the brand offers. We didn’t want to worry about needing to replace the wood in the future since we would have something growing on it, and we have literally trusted this brand since the first thing we ever built. My kids learned when we built their first hideaway, that the Yellow tag was super important to look for on the wood we were buying.
For this project, we used Yellawood’s™ ground contact pressure treated product again, because it would have something growing on it, and needs to be the best product available. We need the protect to protect against rot, decay, and even termites. Yellawood™ checks all those boxes while still offering a great value.
Our Trellis was 30 feet long so we planned it for 3 sections. You might have to adjust the amount of wood you need, but here is our list.
• (4) 4 x 4 x 8
• (6) 4 x 4 x 10
• (2) 2 x 12 x 8
• (12) corner braces
• (3) bags of concrete
• Deck screws
Our house wasn’t square, {surprise 1976!} so we decided to go with the house, instead of fighting that. We stayed underneath the house, and planned it accordingly.
3. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Dig and Secure with Concrete
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is to make sure you dig below the frost line. From there, you have a couple of options: pour a footer and set the post on top of the footer, or set the post in concrete in the ground. Since this was not structurally load-bearing, but more design-oriented, we choose the quicker method of setting the post in concrete in the ground.
The easiest way to do this is to dig your holes making sure they’re generally lined up with each other. Then set your posts in the holes. This is when you need to be more precious with making sure each post is in line with the other. You can pull a string to do this, or measure off the house. Or like me, both.
Finally, follow the directions on the concrete mix bag and add the mix to the hole. Next, verify the posts are in line with each other, then use your level to make sure they are vertically straight
4. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Add the Bottom Pieces
Something to note: our trellis was placed on an incline in our yard. So, we decided to step it up in levels to try to keep a similar height from the ground, all while keeping the top rail level.
Once the concrete is dry, remove the braces supporting it. Starting at the highest level, find the bottom height you want to use, and mark it. You’ll be marking the top of the rail here, not the bottom.
Once you have it marked, take one of your corner braces and Yellawood™ deck screws and attach the brace. If you are fancy and have a laser level, break it out and go crazy. If not, grab a friend, your 4 foot level and a 4 x 4. Place one end of the 4 x 4 on the recently attached brace and have your friend hold the other end while you place the level on the 4 x 4 and find level. Mark the top of the 4 x 4 your friend is holding and then attach a brace.
We choose to finish out the bottom rails, dropping them at each section to match the height of the first section.
4. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Level off the Vertical Pieces
Once the bottom part is built and secured, it’s time to cut the height of the 4 x 4 post. We didn’t do this before, because we wanted to have a flush-level look for the top rail.
Again, starting with the highest level, we found the height we wanted for the post and marked it.
Using a carpenters square, we marked a line on three sides of the post to know what we need to cut off the top. Once it was marked, we used our cirular saw to cut the tops.
Tada! You’re well on your way to leveling it off. Simply measure and cut as you go. You can also have your friend help you repeat the process from the lower rails to double check yourself.
5. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Install the Top Pieces
You’ll repeat the process you used for the lower rails. The only difference here is that the brackets will support the 4 x 4 from underneath, not the top. So measure and cut your 4 x 4 to size for each section and you’re ready to go!
Simply work you way down the trellis attaching everything together.
5. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Corbel Placement
We wanted a less angular look in our approach to the trellis, since it’s a front yard installment. To do this, we decided to cut handmade corbels from Yellawood™ to add a little extra flourish to our look. Note: this is not a necessary step, but we do think it made it look a little more polished from the street. Also, corbels can be pricey. This was another reason to simply cut our own. So we went for it.
If you want to make your own here’s how to do it!
This is our first draft. We wanted to make sure the arch could fit within the given space of the right angle. And since we knew we needed 6 of them, we decided it would be more accurate to work from a template.
Ashley drew one up on the computer and printed it {tiled + taped together}. Once cut, we tested it and knew it was the perfect size for what we wanted.
So we traced it onto our Yellawood™ 2 x 12’s before we cut it out.
So secured with Frogtape, we traced each one out on a board of wood. Then we cut it out using our jigsaw carefully to stay on the lines.
We lightly sanded each one with a belt sander to take care of any harsh angles. We also did it lightly to keep them uniform.
It was a fit! We cleaned up that small bottom part, and moved forward, installing each one in the corners.
Note: it helps to have two pairs of hands here, and keep them on the outside edge so that they’re flush with your front side, and don’t block the eyehooks. {Your next step.}
Again, it takes a little extra time but gives it that polished look. It can save you moolah and you know you’re getting quality wood that will last along with the rest of the structure. Also, keep in mind these don’t have to be perfect, you’ll be growing organic material on them, so a little imperfection is fine.
Helpful hint: Drill up from the bottom on the thicker parts so that you don’t split the wood. You can also predrill your hole here as well for an added precaution.
pssst… want to try your own corbel? Simply download this + have it printed on card stock at your local shipping store… or tile it on your printer + tape together at home. Cut + enjoy!
6. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Prep to Paint
You’ll see our photos out of order below, but if you plan to paint your trellis, do yourself a favor now and prep for the paint part, first. We realized after wiring the first section that prepping for paint against a house would be much simpler if we did that, and then the wire.
We used plastic + frogtape to prep the house, and then moved on with the wire. We wanted the wire painted because it was darker against the house in the meantime, until we can plant something in the spring. Subtle, but something that doesn’t look so void on the house for that in-the-meantime phase.
7. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Trellis Wire
You’re close! Here’s the next step:
We went for a diamond pattern because we liked the look, and then kept them further apart because of the clematis.
This is where the math comes in and you’ll need to measure your structure and place your hooks evenly. We suggest doing this on a piece of paper first, so you can adjust it easily. We wanted our wire to be close to 18 inches apart so we measured, figured how the maximum number of sections we could have, then divided the total length by that number to get our actual section measurements. Once we knew that it was as simple as measuring marking, drilling, and adding eye hooks.
Then we had to string the wire. This is best done one section at a time. We used an uncoated 1/16 inch wire.
We started by looping one end of wire through an eye hook using pliers to pull each wire through on a loop, and secure on the other side with a copper crip connector.
We would repeat this process for each section. (Pro tip: number each hole you drilled to help you know where to place each end of the wire to create equal sections. If you drew this out on paper first, that should help you as well.)
We found it easiest to work our way down one side working on one angle and then coming back down the other side to finish it off.
We could really see it coming together as we worked our way back down the other side! Also, when you’re cutting off the ends, leave maybe 1 inch of extra wire.
It’s a slow process, but one that makes a great addition to the build.
8. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Paint It!
Yes, we were the slightly crazy people who decided to paint at night. With the time change, we ran out of sunlight and a rainstorm was coming the next day. We’d already prepped the space, so we hit it with our sprayer, and we were done! There may or may not have been a neighbor or two who checked in on our mental state. Clearly, it paid off.
9. How to Build a Trellis with Yellawood™: Step Back and Admire your Handiwork
As we mentioned before, this was a good foundation that we created for spring. That means we’ve established the base of the project so that we can plant more and build off of this idea for our “english garden” in the warmer months.
Our youngest got off the bus from school the other day and told us that the bus driver said the yard looks good. We’ve had neighbors stop and comment, as well… which tells us it’s a job well done! We love the fact that this solid Yellawood™ will hold up and work hard for us in the spring when it’s planting season and for seasons to come.
As always let us know if you try it! We’d love to hear. And find other free Yellawood™ downloadable DIY Project Plans here.
Have an inspired day!
Erica M says
It is VERY pretty!! Can’t wait to see the flowers on it next year. The sidewalk is spot-on too!! Gorgeous! ❤️
ashley @ the handmade home says
You’re the sweetest, Erica. Thank you! We are looking forward to filling it all in the spring. It can’t come quickly enough 😀